Manipur assembly speaker Yumnam Khemchand said during his last meeting with the Dalai Lama in New Delhi, he had asked the spiritual leader to visit Manipur, which was accepted

The Dalai Lama will visit Manipur's capital Imphal on October 17 (File)

Imphal: The Dalai Lama will visit Manipur's capital Imphal on October 17 to participate in an international peace conference, state assembly speaker Yumnam Khemchand said today. Mr Khemchand said the spiritual leader will attend a peace conference on October 18 which will be attended by religious leaders from some countries.

He said during his last meeting with the Dalai Lama in New Delhi, he had asked the spiritual leader to visit Manipur, which was accepted. Mr Khemchand made the announcement on the sidelines of launching an e-bicycle in Imphal.

When the Dalai Lama visited Arunachal Pradesh some months ago, China had strongly protested, even calling his visit a provocation.

Sources said this time India is not anticipating provocative statements from Chinese leaders. Officials said a large number of Buddhist monks from Myanmar and other Southeast Asian countries are likely to visit Manipur on the occasion.

Southeast Asian traders have been participating all these years in government-sponsored fairs and other functions in Manipur. Police said security will be tightened ahead of the Dalai Lama's visit.